But in response to footage taken in July this year, Tesco has dropped the farm with 'immediate effect' while food standards organization Red Tractor has also suspended Hogwood's certification and is pending further inspections.

'A huge victory'

In a statement sent to Plant Based News, Juliet Gellatley, Founder and Director of VIVA!, described the news as a 'huge victory'.

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"The animal cruelty that our team witnessed on Hogwood Farm cannot be easily forgotten," Gellatley said. "Over the past two years, there has been complete inaction by industry bodies, with meaningless assurances that they are working to improve standards. But finally, with this undeniable evidence, animal welfare has come before profit...

"Since our first investigation, the farm owners have invested thousands of pounds into increasing security at Hogwood. Rather than improve conditions for these poor animals, they invested in making it more difficult for the public to see the truth. Now, the truth is finally out and consumers will no longer unknowingly support Hogwood Horror Farm.

"Although we congratulate Tesco and Red Tractor on finally making the right decision, I can't help but question why it is routinely left to animal welfare groups like Viva! to expose the abuse taking place on farms. Factory farming is an inherently cruel business and we hope that this exposé shows that assurance schemes like Red Tractor cannot be trusted. If you oppose animal cruelty, the best thing you can do is go vegan."

Tesco branded the footage as 'distressing and unacceptable', telling the Daily Mail the farm is 'well below [its] high animal welfare standards'.

Liam is a writer, reporter, and poet. He has written for a number of top publications including Gay Times Magazine, Attitude Magazine, Oh Comely, and The Huffington Post, as well as regional news outlets.

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